POLOKWANE – The summer holiday has arrived and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Polokwane has asked residents to assist in preventing cruelty to animals during the festive season.
SPCA Polokwane manager, Anton du Bruyn said anyone who encountered a situation involving an animal that was cause for concern, should report it quickly and directly to the SPCA,” Du Bruyn said.
National SPCA (NSPCA) public relations officer, Christine Kuch, said there seemed to be a trend in which instead of reporting incidents of cruelty to animals to the SPCA, people would rather take a photo and send e-mails or place it on Facebook.
“This delays a response by the SPCA. Please carry the number of your local SPCA on your cell phone and contact them immediately with as much information as possible. Even if this is not the correct SPCA, they can forward the details quickly,” she said, requesting that people would be mindful of the welfare of all animals and not be afraid of coming forward with information.
Another problem at this time of the year was animals being given to people as Christmas gifts. Du Bruyn said the giving of animals, especially exotic animals, was unsuitable.
“Please do not go this route. As with so many issues, animal welfare starts at home. Ensuring that your own animals have been vaccinated up to date, including against rabies, is the first step. Make sure that each animal has identification. Microchip identification takes five minutes and is not painful for the animals.”
Whether you are going away or staying at home, the SPCA encourage residents to make plans and have back-up plans in case of accident, illness or any other emergency that may arise. Organise a caring person to be on standby to assist with animals if need be. The contact details of your veterinarian and the local SPCA need to be with with this person.
“Be caring and cautious with regard to festivities. Ensure that pets cannot reach food or treats, especially chocolate, which can be toxic to dogs. Party items or decorations can be mistaken for toys and accidents could occur.
“The best advice is to give animals either a room of their own during festivities or make sure that they have a space to hide away from the hubbub,” Du Bruyn said.
He said it was not only fireworks that terrified pets. “So-called ‘poppers’ can also startle them and bursting balloons can also cause panic. Be aware, show you care and be mindful of animals at all times.”
“We want to remind people that the SPCA is an animal welfare organisation not a veterinary service. If your animal needs veterinary treatment, vaccinations and so on, then please contact your private veterinarian. If you wish to report an animal being cruelly treated, neglected, abused or abandoned contact your local SPCA at (015) 291 1088,” Du Bruyn said.
The Polokwane SPCA is in dire need of dry dog and cat food as well as toys for cats and dogs. These can be dropped off at the SPCA on the Roodepoort road or at the civil airport opposite the Polokwane Game Reserve.
SPCA Polokwane committee chairperson Johan Loubser thanked everyone who had supported them over the past year.
